Review of the year: February

PUBLISHED: 08:39 24 December 2009 | UPDATED: 16:13 11 May 2010

HEAVY snow caused joy for children and havoc for commuters. Around 8cm of snow fell in the first week of February, forcing the majority of schools in the area to close for two days. Several accidents occurred as drivers struggled to adjust to freezing con

Around 8cm of snow fell in the first week of February, forcing the majority of schools in the area to close for two days.

Several accidents occurred as drivers struggled to adjust to freezing conditions on the A10 and A505, but fortunately no one was seriously injured.

Many families took advantage of their unexpected break to build snow men on Therfield Heath, or indulge in spot of sledging.

Weatherman Richard Barker, from the Iceni weather station in Royston, said the amount of snow as "not unusual" for the time of year.

He said: "We are just not used to this anymore. In February 1986 we had this kind of snowfall every day for a month.

"In recent years we've been averaging one big snowfall a winter, but this is the largest we have seen for several years," he added.

Also in the news...

- Campaigners calling for improved safety on the A505 held a summit meeting with highways bosses. The meeting took place at the notorious Ashwell turning, which has seen many accidents in recent years.

- Tributes were paid to former mayor of Royston, Cllr Bill Prime, who died aged 73. His daughter Alison said: "He was a wonderful husband and a dearly loved father and grandfather."

- A district council took the unusual step of gaining a pre-emptive high court injunction to stop a piece of land becoming an illegal traveller site. South Cambridgeshire district council imposed the injunction on land at Thriplow after concerns were raised by residents.

Council leader Steve Count is planning a “gesture of unity” by handing back part of his allowance in support of the 1,800 county council staff forced to take unpaid leave this Christmas as part of cost saving measures.